By Abbas Nazil
Moroccan authorities are battling to contain a wildfire that has destroyed large areas of palm groves in the Afous oasis in Errachidia province, southeastern Morocco, as the country faces rising wildfire risks linked to extreme temperatures and dry conditions.
The blaze, which broke out on Friday, continued into Saturday as firefighting teams worked to bring the situation under control.
A local official confirmed that emergency crews were still engaged in efforts to contain the flames, adding that the full extent of the affected area had not yet been determined.
No casualties have been reported from the wildfire, but the incident has caused significant damage to vegetation, particularly the palm groves that are a major feature of the region’s landscape and ecosystem.
The wildfire comes as Morocco remains on heightened alert over increasing risks of forest fires amid a period of intense heat affecting several parts of the country.
Earlier, authorities advised residents living near forest areas in 12 provinces to take extra precautions after the National Agency for Water and Forests issued extreme wildfire warnings.
The agency classified forests in the affected provinces under the highest risk category, marked in red, indicating an extreme likelihood of fire outbreaks due to the combination of high temperatures, dry vegetation and unfavourable weather conditions.
Morocco’s wildfire monitoring system evaluates fire risks based on weather conditions and vegetation cover.
Under the system, a red alert represents an extreme wildfire danger requiring urgent precautionary measures, while an orange alert indicates high risk and the need for increased vigilance.
The wildfire warning coincided with forecasts from Morocco’s national meteorological authority predicting a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 46 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Climate experts have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves and wildfires across many regions to changing climate patterns, which are contributing to hotter and drier conditions that make vegetation more vulnerable to ignition.
Data from previous years shows that wildfires continue to pose a serious environmental challenge in Morocco.
In 2025, wildfires affected approximately 1,728 hectares of forest across the country, with grasses and seasonal vegetation accounting for about 45 per cent of the total area burned.
Authorities have continued to urge communities to avoid activities that could trigger fires, especially during periods of extreme heat, while strengthening early warning systems and emergency response efforts.
The latest wildfire highlights the growing pressure climate change and rising temperatures are placing on ecosystems, agricultural landscapes and communities across Morocco and other regions experiencing prolonged heat conditions.